Actor Henry Thomas as Elliott and E.T. in scene from 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,' celebrating its 30th anniversary. / AP

by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

As E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial turns 30, its former child star Henry Thomas is coming to terms with the film's phenomenal success. He's even going to show the classic to his oldest daughter for the first time.

Thomas, 41, who played the lead character Elliot in the 1982 movie, said the relationship he has with the film is constantly "evolving." But it was hard to deal with the type-casting and recognition that came with the part at first.

"When I was a teenager it was like, 'They are going to call me Elliot again,' " Thomas said at a Los Angeles event to promote the 30th-anniversary edition of E.T., released on Blu-ray today. "But I have kids now. And everyone you meet, especially people close to my age, they all have very meaningful stories about seeing the movie the first time."

Thomas continues to work Hollywood, most recently in Big Sur, which recounts Jack Kerouac's journey to California after the author had to deal with the stifling success of On the Road. Thomas admits that people continue to recognize him from the film he did 30 years ago. Now, when he meets people, he simply mentions E.T. when they show a spark of recognition.

"I've skipped the naming the last (project) I did," said Thomas. "When people tell me I look familiar I just say, 'I was the kid in E.T.' That's what they are thinking. They just don't want to ask you."

Thomas vows he's even going to show the Blu-ray DVD to his daughter, Hazel, who turned 8 this year. His kids are already onto his role, even though he's never talked to them about it.

"They already know. They have known since they were tiny. I didn't realize it," says Thomas. "One of their DVDs has a trailer for E.T. at the head of it. I was starting a movie for them, and I came on the screen as Elliot. I said, 'Do you know who that is? And they said, 'Oh ya, that's you, Dad.' "